En helg i fotografens paradis: Svenska Skidspelen i Falun

Förra helgen återvände jag för andra året i rad till Falun för att vara officiell fotograf vid Svenska Skidspelen, en upplevelse som kombinerar min passion för vinterlandskap med spänningen av att föreviga Sveriges mest folkkära idrottare i aktion. Det finns något alldeles särskilt magiskt med att vara utomhus och fotografera i ett vinterlandskap, och det blir bara bättre när man får chansen att kombinera detta med sportfotografering.

Ebba Andersson, Sverige

Det fanns en förändring detta år. Förra året, då jag fortfarande var en Canon-användare, kände jag mig bekväm men redo för en förändring. Det ledde mig tillbaka till Nikon, främst på grund av deras imponerande Nikon Z8. Kameran är ett fantastiskt all-round verktyg, och den har överträffat alla mina förväntningar. Att få testa den i en miljö som Svenska Skidspelen var en sann glädje.

Min utrustning var väsentligt mer omfattande i år. Jag hade med mig fyra olika objektiv och precis som förra året två kamerahus, Nikon Z8 och Nikon Z f. Av objektiven var det pålitliga 70-200/f2.8 i spetsen. Dess mångsidighet och prestanda under alla förhållanden gör det till ett ovärderligt verktyg i min arsenal. De vidare f4-objektiven, 14-30/f4 och 24-120/f4, var tänkta som komplement, men jag upptäckte att jag använde dem mindre än förväntat. Detta blev ännu mer uppenbart när jag gick igenom mina bilder efter eventet. Dock visade sig 24-120/f4 vara perfekt för att fånga ögonblicken vid prisutdelningar och i minglet.

Jonna Sundling, Sverige

Ska inte skriva så mycket om kamerahusen i det här inlägget. Men jag kan bara konstatera att Nikon Z f hanterade snöfall betydligt bättre än Nikon Z8. Den hade uppenbarligen problem med autofokus och ansikte/ögon-igenkänning så jag vi använda en ”vanlig” singelpunkt istället. Däremot hanterade Z f omständigheterna väldigt bra och jag kunde använda kamerans ”intelligens” precis som vanligt mer eller mindre.

Jessie Diggins, USA

En oväntad iakttagelse när jag kom hem var mitt begränsade användande av Nikkor 14-30/f4. Trots att jag tog över 15 000 bilder under helgen, använde jag detta objektiv för bara 18 av dem. Det står i kontrast till de 8 052 bilderna tagna med 70-200/f2.8 och de 6 622 med 400/f2.8. Dessa siffror talar sitt tydliga språk om vilka objektiv som var mina verkliga hjältar under helgen.

Johan Häggström, Sverige

Tittar jag på användningen av brännvidder, domineras min fotografering av de längre brännvidderna. De flesta bilder togs vid 200mm, 400mm och 560mm, vilket återspeglar naturen av sportfotografering där man ofta behöver är på långt håll från händelsernas centrum.

Mina favoritobjektiv har blivit mina trofasta följeslagare inte bara i Falun utan genom hela mitt arbete under 2024. Nikkor 24-120/f4, 50/f1.2, 70-200/f2.8, 85/f1.2 och 135/f1.8 har visat sig vara värdefulla både i studio och utomhus, från idrottsevenemang till landskapsfotografering. Högst upp måste jag placera Nikkor 24-120/f4!

En viktig lärdom från detta äventyr var vikten av att vara förberedd på alla typer av väder. De väderbeständiga egenskaperna hos Nikon Z8 och dess objektiv var avgörande, särskilt när vi mötte både regn och snö i stora mängder. Mina kläder och utrustning från Stellar Equipment och Helly Hansen var också livräddare, häll mig helt torr och varm trots de krävande förhållandena.

Avslutningsvis var detta mer än bara en fotograferingsresa; det var en påminnelse om kraften i att ständigt utvecklas och anpassa sig, både tekniskt och kreativt. Jag ser redan fram emot nästa års spel, med nya utmaningar och äventyr att föreviga. Och för de som undrar specifikt om min fotoutrustning, allt kommer från det pålitliga Mattssons Foto i Lund – en plats jag alltid kan lita på för kvalitet och expertis.

2023: Ett år av passion, förändring och gemenskap

Ett år går till historien, och vilket år det varit! 2023 har för mig varit ett år fyllt av äventyr, personlig utveckling, och framför allt, en resa genom mina passioner. Från att omfamna nya möjligheter i min karriär till att utforska världen genom min kamera, har varje ögonblick varit en del av en större resa som formar mig till den jag är.

Att forma och vara en del av ett högpresterande team med fokus på vad som är viktigt, på riktigt! Att byta arbetsplats under 2023 var ett av årets bästa beslut.

Min resa detta år innebar bland annat en betydande förändring i min professionella bana. Jag tog steget att byta arbetsgivare inom IT-sektorn, en sektor som ständigt utmanar och inspirerar mig. Det var ett beslut som inte bara handlade om karriär, utan också om att följa min inre kompass och göra något som verkligen kändes betydelsefullt. Att få möjligheten att arbeta i en organisation där IT är mer än bara teknik och själva affären. En verksamhet där vi skapar verklig skillnad för människor i sina svåraste stunder, är oerhört givande.

Många mil i bil har det blivit under året. En höjdpunkt var familjens bilsemester genom Europa med slutmålet Gardasjön.

Mötet med Simon Sinek för några år sedan, och hans tankar kring "Start With Why", har verkligen burit frukt detta år. Hans ord har inte landat rätt där jag arbetat innan, där har det övergripande målet alltid varit att ge ägarna större vinster.

På det personliga planet har familjen varit min största källa till glädje. Att få vara friska och tillbringa tid tillsammans har varit oersättligt. Våra äventyr, exempelvis bilsemestern till Gardasjön med stopp i Österrike och Tyskland, har fyllt oss med gemenskap och skapat minnen för livet. Det är dessa stunder, stora som små, som ger livet dess rika färg.

Fotografering har fortsatt vara en stor del av mitt liv. 2023 var ett år då jag djupdykte in i sportfotografering, en genre som kräver skicklighet och snabbhet. Från att dokumentera ungdomsidrott till att fånga ögonblicken i en volleylandskamp i Sparbanken Skåne Arena eller följa handbollslandslagets VM i Göteborg och Herning, varje ögonblick har varit en lärdom. Ett stort tack till Johan, Hans och Stefan hos LUGI Handboll som gav mig chansen att utforska detta område ytterligare. Att under en period varit en del av LUGI Handbolls utveckling, att nästan på egen hand lyfta klubben från total mediaskugga till bäst i klassen, har varit en resa i sig. Hoppas de kan fortsätta på den vägen.

Fotografering kommer vara en stor del av mitt 2024, men kanske lite mindre fokus på sport. Fler natursköna vandringar och ett alarm som ringer i god tid före soluppgången.

Detta år har också varit en tid av att fira gemenskapen inom sporten. Att arbeta med spelare och ledare, från representationslag till ungdomslag, har varit en källa till glädje. Att fånga deras energi och entusiasm, lära känna personer som Lovisa, Perla, Adrian, Kasper, Ofelia, Filippa, Mads, Cornelia, Anton, Timo, Axel och alla andra har varit en ära. Att se våra ungdomslag, som Pojkar 14, kämpa och växa på och utanför planen, det har varit en påminnelse om sportens kraft.

Jag har även haft förmånen att vara en del av andra stora sportevenemang. Att få vara en av få utvalda fotografer på Skidspelen i Falun var en upplevelse utöver det vanliga. Att fånga Jonna Sundlings kraft och intensitet var en av många höjdpunkter. Mitt arbete för Svenska Volleybollförbundet och att dokumentera vårt landslags framfart i Golden League var ett annat stolthetsmoment. Damernas VM i handboll avslutade ett härligt sportår!

När jag nu står här vid slutet av 2023 och ser tillbaka, känner jag en djup tacksamhet för alla dessa erfarenheter. Det har varit ett år av att utforska nya horisonter, av att lära och växa både professionellt och personligt. Med 2024 runt hörnet ser jag fram emot att fortsätta denna resa. Mitt fokus kommer att skifta något, från sportfotografering och tillbaka till natur och landskap, resor och vandringar med kameran fastsatt på ryggsäcken. Men oavsett vad det nya året har i sitt sköte, är jag redo att ta emot det med öppna armar.

Tack till alla som varit en del av mitt år. Jag ser fram emot att dela fler berättelser, äventyr och upplevelser med er under 2024.

Ta hand om er därute så bjuder på ett lite axplock från 2023. 📸😊

Särskild charm

Hösten är en årstid som bär med sig en särskild charm och en uppsjö av fördelar som kan förgylla vår vardag. 🍁 En av de mest uppskattade aspekterna är att solen tittar upp efter att vi vaknat 🥱, vilket ger oss möjligheten att verkligen njuta av dess skönhet och värme. Ingen behöver längre störa sin sömn för att fånga soluppgången; istället kan vi vakna naturligt och välkomna en ny dag med solens strålar som sällskap. ☀️🌞

En annan stor fördel är den enkla skönheten som omger oss. Bara ett steg utanför dörren och vi kan njuta av höstens kalejdoskop av färger. Lövens skiftningar från grönt till brons och guld, den klara höstluften som är både uppfriskande och inspirerande, och den mysiga känslan av att dra på sig en tjock tröja är små detaljer som verkligen kan uppskattas. 🧣🍂 Varje promenad kan bli en skattjakt efter det vackra i det enkla, oavsett om det är ett lövverk i en mängd olika nyanser eller det sätt på vilket morgondimman sveper in över landskapet. Det kanske inte är vackert för alla, men för den som ser skönheten i naturens förändringar är hösten en sann fest för själen. 🌫️🌾

Höstsol, november 2023
(Nikon Z f, 50mm/1.2)

Hashtags som #HöstMagi, #SoluppgångGlädje och #NaturensSkönhet kan användas för att dela med sig av dessa ögonblick och känslor på sociala medier, och sprida lite av höstens glädje till andra. 📸📝

Lomma, november 2023
(Nikon Z f, 50mm/1.2)

Så nästa gång du känner höstens kyliga vind mot ditt ansikte, ta ett ögonblick att verkligen se dig omkring och upptäcka allt det vackra hösten har att erbjuda – det är en enkel lycka som väntar precis utanför din dörr. 🚪🌟 #EnkelLycka #HöstensSkönhet

Moments like these

As the first hints of dawn stretched across the horizon, We gently pushed open the back doors of the camper van. The world outside was awash with the soft, warm glow of the rising sun, piercing through a delicate veil of mist.

Skillinge, 2023

Small birds flitted about, chirps and songs serving as a serene morning chorus. Boats lazily drifted on the glistening water, suggesting the promise of a day filled with adventure.

Skillinge, 2023

A deep breath, the gentle ocean breeze carrying with it the coolness of the night and the warmth of the day ahead. It is moments like these that make every journey worthwhile.

Partille Cup 2023

Partille Cup 2023 has come to an end, after a week filled with various experiences. Laughter and happiness, tears and letdowns, rain and sunshine, but most importantly, friendships formed, new acquaintances made, and heartwarming reunions. Of course, there was also plenty of handball played throughout the week. While some of our teams did not achieve their high aspirations, they will still cherish the memories of this week and eagerly anticipate the next tournament. ✨

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To view a selection of handball treats in Gothenburg, simply click the button.

Sweden vs Belgium

EUROPEAN GOLDEN LEAGUE 2023 - SEMIFINAL 1

Yesterday, Sweden's women's volleyball team performed exceptionally well! Don't forget to catch their second semifinal on Wednesday in Belgium - it's definitely worth watching!

UPDATE
I am confident that you will take care of what needs to be done tonight. Looking forward to seeing you in Lund soon!

UPDATE 2
Yeah!! What a great game! On to the final!!

Sweden vs. Belgium

EUROPEAN GOLDEN LEAGUE 2023

In an exciting volleyball match held at Sparbanken Skåne Arena, Sweden emerged victorious over Belgium, securing a remarkable 3-1 victory. The high-intensity game showcased both teams' skill, determination, and teamwork, but Sweden ultimately triumphed, delighting their passionate fans.

The atmosphere in the arena was electric as fans filled the seats, ready to witness an enthralling display of athleticism and sportsmanship. As a photographer, I had a front-row seat to capture every thrilling moment.

Sweden vs. Germany

EHF EURO CUP

I had a good time yesterday watching the match. It wasn't too intense, but Sweden showed their strength in a comfortable way. I like games that are challenging, but it's also nice to just enjoy the entertainment without getting too worked up. It was also great to see some new players show off their promising talents on the field.

Denmark vs. Sweden

INTERNATIONAL GAME

To the team! Impressed to see how you play so well in front of almost 9,000 Danish fans. It was quiet as in a church when you scored and a deafening roar when Denmark scored their goals.
The Copenhagen audience was challenging to flirt with. The party atmosphere didn't come to life. The audience's most significant moment was the sing-along to Volbeats For Evigt!

Thanks for a great season! I can't wait until the next one!

3 years with an electric car

-It would help if you first plugged in the cable and then complete the payment. Then you run three laps backward around the car, do seven equal-footed jumps at the charger to ward off evil charging spirits and pray to higher powers that it will work. Ideally, you should sacrifice part of a fossil car on the charging altar. And of course, you have to hold and lift the charging handle while the charger and the vehicle agree that they want to work together; that's not up to you but up to the parties involved.

-I don't believe in this electric car thing, do you? My charging neighbor asked me in Örebro. I was on my way home from the ski games in Falun with destination Lomma in Skåne, one of many long trips with our EV. I replied that I do and that it has worked quite well during the three years and 75,000 kilometers I have driven with my car so far. And it will be another pure electric car by the summer when it's time to change.

I left the man and went into Circle K. A newly renovated station with large areas, a gate with card payment for toilet visits, SEK 10. After several attempts to pay with no meaningful error messages, no message at all, I figured out that the machine didn't like certain cards and tried another one. Whoops, after a short eternity, almost making an accident on the floor, I was inside. A massage chair, a health check machine, and a cleaning robot that were chasing customers between the candy shelves. The recent renovation and new ways gave a feeling that this is Scandinavia's freshest Circle K toilet. But it turned out that it was just the opposite. I opened four stalls before finding one that was helpfully OK. Stop and paper mixed grief in the first. Someone who left underwear in the second and a customer who had terrible luck with the sight in the third.

Even the hand washing station was high-tech and told you to wash your hands for at least 20 seconds and kindly helped me with the countdown. However, the trash was too full, spilling over the nice installation and onto the floor. I wonder if this whole idea is that the Circle K staff should focus on selling hot dogs instead of cleaning the toilets, a win-win. If customers have to pay to fulfill their needs, they don't behave like pigs. They were somewhat unlucky in their thinking.

Without having my hamstring cut by the cleaning robot, I paid my stuff at one of the two automatic cash registers that the staff didn't trust and the customers didn't understand. This means that instead of selling and talking about the weather, you have staff who now run 1-1 payment training with annoyed customers who think that technology is overrated and that everything was better in the old days.

All this took some time before I headed out to my car, which had charged what I needed for the following stint, Jönköping. On the other hand, my charging neighbor had just started charging and was going to wedge himself into the Circle K toilet with a not-so-happy face. Welcome and good luck with your electric car ownership!

Men's Sprint Free

FALUN SVENSKA SKIDSPELEN - WORLD CUP

It must have been a great feeling for Edvin Anger up the sprint hill, where at least four busloads of supporters from his hometown created a lovely backdrop.
Unfortunately, it didn't go the way he wanted. Still, I'm sure that all the support contributes to some training motivation for next season. Great fun to see you on the track!!

Women's Sprint Free

FALUN SVENSKA SKIDSPELEN - WORLD CUP

Even though no Swede was at the top of the podium in yesterday's sprint in Falun, there was no doubt that we have the world's best ski team on the women's side.
I was most impressed when Jonna Sundling pushed up the sprint hill! Extra world cup points should be awarded for this!! It was unfortunate for Moa Lundgren, who looked so strong during the weekend but was such an impressive qualifier. Without the fall, it could have gone very far!

Men's 10km Individual Start Classic

FALUN SVENSKA SKIDSPELEN - WORLD CUP

The snow and wind increased when it was time for the men's 10 km. But Calle Halvarsson's opening warmed everyone up initially. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough all the way to the finish line.
An all-Norwegian podium today; big congratulations!

LUGI - Success story 22/23

I had a manager for a while who left a lot to be desired when it came to being a support when the going got tough, a mentor who could lift and get more out of each individual than they knew they had within them. A worthless leader in my eyes. But he was one of the people I learned the most from throughout my professional life. He was a fantastic analyst who could put his finger on what needed to be done, sometimes an unpleasant finger that hurt. Still, you understood that it was true deep down. But there was no doubt that the team needed to be protected from him. He needed to be filtered through others to have the desired effect. Some kind of humanizer filter. His intentions weren't evil but they came out wrong. It was his way of communicating and putting himself above everyone else that just did not work.

One thing I learned from this man was that you should write the success story of a project before implementing it. Then it was just a matter of creating what was said, simple. Describe to everyone and yourself where you are when the project is over, what you did to make it happen and what values you have delivered. Brilliant in many ways. Not only do you have a clear goal to communicate and work on together with your team. You also have the project planning in place with challenges and achieved results described. Only to implement. Easy enough!

“His intentions weren’t evil but they came out wrong. It was his way of communicating and putting himself above everyone else that just did not work.”

— Me

It may sound simple and naive. It obviously requires hard work, bringing out all the individual strengths of everyone in the project, reflections and adjustments during the journey. The job needs to be done! Of course, unexpected things will happen but they happen whether you have a goal or not.

So what does this have to do with handball and more specifically, with LUGI's women's team in the 22/23 season?

My youngest son and I usually amuse ourselves by doing match analyses after the games. It has been about technical errors, fantastic saves, good pulled pork burgers in the restaurant and everything in between. So based on that, this is the success story written before it happened.

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LUGI - Success story 22/23
Lund, January 2023 

“Those who are supposed to provide safety and help when it is the toughest and the team struggles are downright failing in their mission. ”

— Me

With 8-9 games left of the season, the situation is anything but happy faces and that is perhaps the worst, not the technical error in minute 47. It hurts to see the leadership that unfolds. Those who are supposed to make you feel safe when it is the toughest and the team struggles are downright failing in their mission.

“If you believe your every move can be a failure, you will stop trying.”

— Me

During the fall, when my son and I analyzed the games, we often liked certain players who stood out. Unfortunately, there were only so many and usually the same players from game to game. Some players always gave it everything, with big hearts and never stopped running regardless of the opponents or what was on the scoreboard. Why didn't more players do it? I thought at the time it was a matter of safety and I still think so. If you only think about not making mistakes, you lose all about what's essential in a game like handball. If you believe your every move can be a failure, you will stop trying.

If you instead have a positive thought that I'm going through that gap, this ball will be stuck in the net behind the goalkeeper. She won't get past me even if that is the last thing I do in this game. Then that will happen!

At the end of March, we look forward to the season's start of 23/24. Not because we think it's nice that this season is over but because we have a lot of energy left and a belief in ourselves and our teammates. That we can go as far as we like! All the way!

That it turned out the way it did in 22/23 was due to many things that are easy to blame. Injuries, the management, the opponents, the crowd, or actually the absence of them, and so on. But above all, it was due to lack of feeling safe and joy for the game! But somewhere at the beginning of 2023, something happened. Of course, some players returned from injuries. But there was something else too.

“Some they win, and some they loose. But none of that matters.”

— me

The team! The team made a decision! The group came together! A significant change in my son's and my analysis is that there are not a few players we highlight after the games. Everyone plays for the team, giving a little extra to contribute. Everyone gives their all in every situation. Sometimes the ball hits the post. Sometimes, a player gets stuck in the opponent's defense, and sometimes a ball is thrown outside the court or makes the goalkeeper better than she is. Some they win, and some they loose. But none of that matters. The players feel safe in their group, so they keep trying as long as they have time on the clock with a big heart, a straight back, and a lot of pride.

Lunds stolthet!

“The players feel safe in their group, so they keep trying as long as they have time on the clock with a big heart, a straight back, and pride.

Lunds stolthet!”

— me

Sweden vs. Serbia

INTERNATIONAL GAME

It's not in the first game in a World Cup you have to be at your best and definitely not in the first training game before the World Cup. So from that perspective it was an excellent game and a nice win in a packed, atmospheric arena.

Be your own Barista?

It was pure coincidence that I found this coffee solution from a Danish company, The Brew Company. I liked the idea of ​​getting "real" coffee when you don't have time to make an authentic cup on your hike. There are different types of press solutions and of course freeze-dried coffee. But I have always experienced these as either complicated, taking up unnecessary space in the backpack or not as good.

So my expectations were high for this solution and my first test was OK. You can choose the strength of your coffee in two ways, the amount of water and the time the coffee is allowed to brew. Of course, the coffee you choose also affects the taste, and there are many to choose from.

Why was it just OK? For now that it's because I haven't learned to brew correctly yet. And also to find my 'style' and the correct type of coffee. Not succeeding on the first try is perhaps the most significant disadvantage of a system like this. Suppose you buy a bag or two that doesn't turn out well. In that case, the risk is that you give up a solution that has excellent potential to be great and go back to two spoons of freeze-dried powder with known results each and every time.

As for me, I'll try it 24 more times; that's what I have left in my 'Ultimate Specialty Coffee Taster Box'. Is it worth around SEK 20 a cup? Maybe, but then it needs to be as good as a cup of Lemmel coffee handmade in my coffee pot and almost as simple as Nescafe Instant Coffee Luxury.

Some plesant weeks

This is a camera I've been waiting for for a long time. Shooting with an M camera is the best of emotions. For me at least. Even though they may not be technically superior in all areas, no other camera delivers that feeling. A true feeling of capturing the moment you are a part of when taking the image. An M camera may not suit certain professional situations such as sports, macro, fashion, etc. It may be that they are not the best professional tool in any category? I leave that to others to decide. For me, an M camera can deliver in all situations though. The feeling of capturing the photograph is superior. Some of my favorite photos are taken with a camera that may not be specially built for the case.

One piece of advice I have received many times and one piece of advice that I give myself is to invest in glass. A good lens is something you can enjoy much longer than the camera. When it comes to the possibility of using your old lens, the M system is superior. Using lenses from the 50s on a camera launched in 2022 without adapters and other adaptations is extraordinary. Of course, many lenses with designs from the 2000s and onward are optically superior. They can give this M11 sensor all the resolving it wants. Still, the charm many of these older options offer is in a class of its own.

I had a digital M in 2015 when I bought my Leica M Monochrome (Type 246), which came with me everywhere. I mainly remember the street photography pictures from different trips. From Manhattan, Cape Town, Svalbard to Dalby quarry close to home. Those are just a few places where my M delivered magical images. But I've never had a digital M color camera. It has been close a few times but when it comes to M, all color images have been created on film in an M3 or M6. When it comes to Leica, SL has been the choice during periods when it comes to digital color images.

Leica APO-Summicron-M 90 f/2 ASPH.

I have been photographing for a while now with Leica's latest M camera, the Leica M11. The exterior has in my opinion been refined positive in some areas. I have seen some reviewers think that some of it are bad decisions by Leica, especially when it comes to the bottom plate, which is no longer there. The camera looks more like a Q when it comes to battery design. You can access the battery directly and handle the memory card hidden by it. I like this solution and other things that make life as a Leica M photographer a little smoother. For example, a few more customizable function keys are welcomed, and the USB C connector that is always accessible.

Maybe it's the inside that contains the most significant change. And the new sensor of just over 60 Megapixels is a masterpiece in my eyes. Many people agree that it is a great change. Even if the predecessors were more than enough to create fantastic images.

This camera will now be my primary companion on many different photographic trips. A travel companion, of course, because its size almost qualifies it as a pocket camera. Even if Leica does not have the widest fixed lenses, this will be my landscape buddy with 18mm, 21mm, or 24mm lenses. I also photograph landscapes with other focal lengths such as 35mm, 50mm and 90mm. Street and macro photographs will also be created I guess.

Looking forward to getting the new APO 35mm f/2, which has an extra mode for close-ups even though it may not be macro in its true sense. And it will be some Astro, aurora borealis, long exposures, and more also I'm sure. My Canon may have to settle for photographing action, sports and dogs.

Leica M 35/2,0 Summicron ASPH.

I shoot with old cameras

Photographing landscapes is a big part of my photography. Although I still like to shoot it with slide film, for example Fujifilm Velvia 50 for its deep colors, I also have a favorite among color negative film for this purpose. It's Kodak Ektar 100, launched in its new version in 2008. Created for nature, outdoors, fashion, and product photography. The film offers ultra-fine grains, ultra-vivid colors, and high saturation and is available in ISO 100 only.

Leica M6 Kodak Ektar 100

There are some benefits of negative film over slides that I really appreciate. There are two things, in particular, I think about. Number one is that today fewer and fewer develop slide film in E6 chemicals if you want to avoid doing it yourself. The second is that a negative film is usually easier to shoot than a positive one. You often have significantly larger exposure margins.

I shoot with old cameras, sometimes without light meters, or they are unreliable. Sometimes I just have to guess my settings. With a slide film, the margins of error are minimal. A little overexposed and I risk eradicating the highlights. A little underexposed and my shadows become completely black without details. However, a rule of thumb is to expose for the highlights when it comes to slide film.

With a negative film, you have a much broader exposure range. I can overexpose my images to ensure good shadows without risking destroying highlights as quickly and with a film like Kodak Ektar, I can get pretty close to a slide film in the feeling when I photograph landscapes.

This is an excellent film to have in your camera when you do not really know what will happen and need to quickly snap the image with a guessed exposure. However, keep in mind that it handles extra nicely when there is a lot of light.

Kodak Portra 160

Canon EOS 30 Kodak Portra 160

Kodak Portra is one of the films I always have at home. It is available as ISO 160, 400 and 800 and I almost always photograph them as 100, 200 and 400. The film replaced Kodak's Vericolor in 1998 but has been upgraded accordingly, as late as 2022.

As with many modern films, Portra was created to work better as a film scanned and processed digitally before printing the images.

This film is excellent for both portraits and landscapes, a perfect film to take with you on vacation. My opinion is that it wants some extra light, spring and summer film in southern Sweden at least. Therefore, it was extra fun to see what it would do with a foggy and cold winter day by the sea.

I think it did pretty well! And after gray and gloomy days comes the sun.

Hanalogital BOKEH

Some time ago, I filled the freezer with film from Analog Held. Their business concept is to sell analog film as a subscription. You choose if you want 120 or 135 films and you get 3 or 4 films depending on the format. You do not know what you get. That is the charm! It can be anything from new and ordinary films to expired classics.

In this case, it was an experimental film from Hanalogital, their Bokeh, a pre-exposed film with small light leaks dots.